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Brief Summary

The FZ Series of WaveRunners is straight-up power and speed. Sure, it’s still among the more expensive of Yamaha’s offerings, but virtually all of the extra cost goes into performance and power. Race-ready right out of the box, the FZ comes with the largest displacement engine in the industry. Choose either the FZR for racing or the FZS to add towing and wakesports.

Key Features

Available in Azure Blue Metallic with Pure White or Pure White with Electric Green

Reboarding step

NanoXcel hull and deck

Tow hook

Dual mirrors

Hydro-Turf mats

Quick Shift trim system

Reverse with traction control technology

21.3 gallons of total storage

Low RPM mode

Specifications

Length Overall

132.7'' 3.37 m

Beam

48.4'' 1.23 m

Dry Weight

796 lbs. 361 kg

Tested Weight

N/A

Draft

N/A

- Draft Up

N/A

- Draft Down

N/A

- Air Draft

N/A

Deadrise/Transom

N/A

Max Headroom

N/A

Bridge Clearance

45.7'' 1.16 m

Weight Capacity

530 lbs. 240 kg

Person Capacity

3

Fuel Capacity

18.5 gal. 70 L

Water Capacity

N/A

Length on Trailer

N/A

Height on Trailer

N/A

Trailer Weight

N/A

Total Weight(Trailer, Boat, & Engine)

N/A

Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.

All speeds are measured by a hand held Stalker PRO radar gun and a hand help digital timer, so the human elements is a factor. Temperature, saltwater versus fresh, load, and water conditions are all a factor and the reason why test results may vary.

Performance Chart

Acceleration Times & Test Conditions

Time To Plane

N/A

0 to 30

1.5 sec.

Ratio

N/A

Props

3-Blade, stainless steel

Load

Load: 1 person, Fuel: 3/4 full, Water: none, Gear: none

Climate

Temp: 63 deg., Humid: 72%, Wind: calm, Seas: calm

Captain's Report

The FZR and FZS are the top performers in the Yamaha lineup. If there’s a need for speed, this is the ride to buy.

FZR/FZS

Differences Between Models

The two models of the FZ Series are both designed for pure speed and performance. Subtle differences separate the two. Let’s take a look at the differences first.

Seating

The FZR has a more contoured seat, the Fastback seat. It not only provides better ergonomics but also improves lateral support when cranking through the turns. On the flip side, the FZS has a more passenger-friendly 3 person seat.

The FZR seat is more contoured for keeping the driver secured through abrupt turning through a racecourse.

Tow and Wake Sports

The FZR has no accommodations for towing, while the FZS has a tow hook under the rear of the seat.

Color Choices

The FZR pictured above in Pure White with a Torch Red Metallic Hull. The FZS is available in Azure Blue Metallic with Pure White. The FZS is also available in Pure White with Electric Green.

The FZR is only available in Pure White with a Torch Red Metallic Hull. The FZS is offered in either Azure Blue Metallic with Pure White, or Pure White with Electric Green.Otherwise, the two models share all the same performance features. Let’s go through them.

Features Inspection

SVHO Engine

This is the heart of the beast. This is a 1.8L, 1812cc supercharged 4-cylinder, 4-stroke, Super Vortex High Output Yamaha Marine Engine.

The FZ Series features the largest available engine in the industry. The air filter and oil dipstick are easily accessible at the front of the engine.

Now it’s even been given a shot of adrenaline with some key features--

Intercooler:

Intercooler improves efficiency by 25%. Power from any engine comes from expansion of gasses when igniting fuel. Simple enough. And warm air expands more than cold air. We’ve known this since grade school physics. But what if colder air was injected into the engine. That air would be less dense so we could fit more of it into the same space. And when it’s heated it would expand greater and provide more power. Cooling the air is the intercooler’s job. This not only improves power but reduces the amount of fuel needed. This latest intercooler is larger and 25% more efficient.

Pistons:

Newly designed forged pistons are 30% stronger to increase performance.

New Supercharger:

Supercharger air intake volume increased by 20%. The Yamaha supercharger, long considered the best in the industry, was made even better by taking another cue from the race team. Now it features a 7-blade, 86mm impeller increasing the boost by 22%.

Oil Cooler:

Oil cooler efficiency improved by 110%.

Fuel System:

Modified to increase fuel flow with larger injectors.

Displacement:

The SVHO engine is the largest displacement engine in the personal watercraft industry at 1812cc.

The FZR has outstanding turning performance, much as is expected of a race machine. The throttle trigger is in the usual position at the right side of the handlebar.

NanoXcel 2

NanoXcel has long been a proprietary technology used by Yamaha in the development of its WaveRunners. It’s an interesting technology where the hull form starts out as a flexible sheet. Under extreme pressure, the NanoXcel hardens into a solid. In the case of the Yamahas, the extreme pressure is applied from a press molded into the shape of the WaveRunner hull. When the two pieces are separated, out comes the formed hull that is stronger, and up to 25% lighter than its fiberglass counterpart.Refining the process even more led to the NanoXcel 2 hull and deck. This latest generation of the technology further reduces hull weight by another 35 lbs. (16 kg), thereby providing more speed, quicker response and livelier action. Running strakes grip the water and provide instant response to driver input.

Additional Performance Features

Carbon Fiber Visor

This water-dipped visor helps reduce weight even more while still maintaining strength.

The carbon-fiber visor adds to the looks and functionality of the FZ Series of WaveRunners.

Quick-shift Trim System

Trim capability is an essential feature of any race machine and on the FZ Series, a manual trim allows for shifting on the fly. Simply squeeze the left trigger and rotate the handle to change the trim of the jet exhaust nozzle. This system offers 24-degrees of total trim range.

A trigger on the left handlebar allows for rotating the trim control for optimum performance.

Telescopic Steering

A release lever under the handlebar allows for adjusting the steering height for different riders and rider styles. Three positions are available to dial in the comfort level that’s desired.

The steering height is adjusted by releasing a latch at the bottom of the handlebar.

Additional General Features

Hydro-Turf Mats

These mats cover the decking of the FZ Series of WaveRunners and allow for better gripping. As an added benefit, they also stay cool to the touch even in direct sunlight.

Storage

The FZ Series of WaveRunners have 21.3 gallons (81 L) of storage in three separate compartments. The front compartment is the largest and is accessed from releasing a latch at the front of the visor. Another compartment is just ahead of the driver and is idea for holding smaller items such as sun screen, glasses and vessel registration. It includes a set of beverage holders and a separate storage area. Lastly, there’s a watertight storage bin under the seat. This one is accessed from a screw-on top fitted with an O-ring to prevent water intrusion. Grabbing the handle and lifting will remove the entire bin for transport.

The forward visor lifts and is held open by a gas strut. This is the largest of the three compartments. The storage bin under the seat is waterproof and removable. A storage compartment is conveniently located right in front of the driver. Two beverage holders and a separate compartment are all removable to create even more room for storage.

Swim Deck/Reboarding Step

In the case of the FZ Series, there’s a swim deck at the rear and a spring-loaded flip-down reboarding step eases reboarding from the rear deck.

Reboard

A flip-down reboarding step and aft swim deck are at the rear of the WaveRunner.

Reverse

A manual reverse is offered on the FZ models. To the right side of the body, there is a handle that gets lifted to lower/engage the reverse bucket and deflects the jet thrust forward, thereby reversing the WaveRunner. Having this on the right side is not an afterthought. Due to its location, the throttle is by default de-activated before reverse is engaged.

A handle to the right side is lifted to engage reverse. Engaging reverse lowers a bucket into the jet thrust to deflect it forward and reverse the FZ. Twin analog gauges are located in the dash. Between is a small LED screen for additional readouts. The release latch for the forward storage is above.

FZ Specifications

Pricing and Observations

For everything needed to get maximum performance out of a WaveRunner, just as the Yamaha team has, the price is a cool $14,799. Be advised, the FZ Series is not for beginners. There are plenty of other Yamaha models that can and will be more appealing to newcomers. But for those looking to get the best performance possible from a watercraft, this is it.

Test Result Highlights

Best cruise for the Yamaha FZS (2016-) is 21.3 mph (34.3 kph), and the boat gets 5.33 miles per gallon (mpg) or 2.27 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 89 miles (143.23 kilometers).